Methodology Definition Method A particular way of doing

Methodology Definition: Method: A particular way of doing something, esp. a systematic one; implies an orderly logical arrangement. Methodology: 1. The theoretical analysis of the methods appropriate to a field of study or to the body of methods and principles particular to a branch of knowledge. 1

• Kinds of Methodologies • • i. Methodology in revealed knowledge ii. Methodology in human knowledge (pure and social sciences) iii. Integrative methodology of revealed knowledge and human knowledge. • 2

What is Islamic Methodology? • Methodology means a technique or method. • It is the field of inquiry concerned with the examination of methods used in the study of natural sciences, human and social sciences and religious sciences in order to understand the subjects. • A comprehensive Islamic methodology means to Islamize and integrate knowledge on the basis of the combination between the revelation and reason in order to overhaul the obstacles and challenges facing a modern man and the society. 3

Methodologies used by the early Muslim scholars Collection of Slide Number? Data Ijtihad (wahy, `aql and Hawas) Verifications Istihsan (Juristic Preference) Reliable Narrators Islamic Methodologies Masalih Mursalah (public interest) Chain of Transformation `Urf (a particular Custom) Consultation & Consensus 4

Islamic Methodology 1. Collection of data of the Qur’an and Sunnah 2. Verified techniques used by the narrators in order to ensure the authenticity of narrations. 3. Compilation of the Qur’an and Sunnah. 4. Considering the reliable narrators with specific criteria. 5. Chain of transformation, no gap between two generations and not less than 40 forty narrators. 6. Memorizations of the Qur’an and Sunnah. 5

Islamic Methodology 7. Consultation among the scholars and consensus based on majority opinions. 8. Ijtihad (rational arguments, explanation, interpretation and adjustment with the local culture and custom) 9. Istihsan (juristic preference), supplementary methods in order to make up for the growing number of new situations that were difficult with the textual and the analogical arguments. 6

Islamic Methodology 10. Maslahah or Masalih Mursalah (public interest), supplementary methods, if the texts of the Qur’an and Hadith or consensus or analogy were not available. 11. `Urf (custom of a particular society or a nation), supporting for adjustment from avoiding the contradictions and social division and disunity for the public interest. 7

• Merits of the Traditional Approach • Merits of the traditional approach were the sincerity, piety, enthusiasm, commitment, and dedication of the early Muslim researchers, many of whom looked for their rewards in the Hereafter. 8

• Islamic research, experimentation and empirical investigation were considered acts of ‘ibadah. • The God-consciousness of the traditional scholars was reflected in their writings and research, which they would commence with bismillah (in the name of Allah), seek His blessings and conclude by dedicating their results to Him. 9

• The holistic nature of the traditional Islamic educational system made no distinction between revealed knowledge and empirically derived knowledge. 10

• Knowledge was perceived as a comprehensive whole, with empirically derived knowledge subject to the verification of revealed knowledge. 11

Tawhidic Criteria for Islamic Methodology Three main tawhidic criteria for Islamic methodology are as follows: 1. Anything which does not correspond with the reality must be rejected. 2. Ultimate contradictions must be denied and rejected. 3. Approaches must be open in order to adjust and accommodate new situations facing the society and man. 12

• Merits of Islamic Methodology • Summarized 13

• s Knowing context, Purpose and Application of the Texts Allah’s pleasure Pure Intention For humanity Commitment to People and society As Ibadah Merit of Islamic Methodologies Reflection Of Allah Awareness Mastery of Arabic Language Self-Initiative (Establishing Institutions) Combination of Wahy & Aql Identifying the Short-comings Of Empirical Knowledge. 14

Depended on Traditional method Verification of Validities, shortcoming Depended on Western Method Integrating Between Wahy and Aql Creativity and Initiative ness Obstacles And Recommendations for Muslim Scholars Traditional Methods as Inspiration Absence of Islamic Curriculum Mis. Propagation And Misconception Bilingual Competency Regaining Sincerity and Pure intention For humanity Unavailability Financial and Technical support 15